Role of research in the development of public policy

Special Guest Speaker: Senator Donald Oliver
Speaker pro tempore of the Senate of Canada

Date: September 13, 2013
Time: 12 noon – 1:00 pm
Location: LSC Theatre 2, Life Sciences Centre
2350 Health Sciences Mall, UBC

Abstract:
Senator Oliver will begin by addressing the role of Parliamentarians in shaping Public Policy, referring to some of his own work as a Canadian Senator over the last 23 years. He will also discuss some key actors in the development of Public Policy, their roles and responsibilities. He will, in particular, talk about the Privy Council Office (PCO), and focus on how PCO facilitates policy development by working with federal departments, agencies, including stakeholders such as scientists and university researchers, in the preparation of ministerial proposals for Cabinet.

Senator Oliver will then shift his attention to how we can bridge the so-called “science” gap between the PCO and these various stakeholders. He will discuss how the Government of Canada is reaching out to various stakeholders in both the public and private sectors (and Canadians in general) and how it is relying on their expertise, knowledge and research to develop new Public Policy.